County Judges Facing Re-election Draw Little Opposition

DAYTONA BEACH — Few challengers are attempting to unseat the eight circuit and county court judges facing re-election this fall.

As the qualifying week gets under way Monday, only two of the eight races are being contested. In both of those contests, the incumbents are stepping down.

Volusia County Judge Gayle Graziano will step down from her seat to run for the circuit judge position being vacated by Robert E. Lee Jr. He is retiring after 23 years on the bench.

Two other attorneys also are seeking the post: Richard Prospect, 41, a senior assistant attorney general in Daytona Beach; and Lyle Hitchens, 38, chief of the juvenile division of the public defender's office.

So far, no one is opposing the four other circuit judges facing re-election in the Sept. 2 primary: James Foxman, Uriel Blount Jr., Kim Hammond and Robert Perry.

Circuit judges hear felony criminal cases and civil disputes including divorces, wills and lawsuits involving more than $5,000. They are now paid $67,276 but that will increase to $75,000 Feb. 1.

Only one of the three county judge races is being contested. Shawn Briese, 31, who resigned as an assistant state attorney to campaign full time, is battling Stasia Warren, an attorney in private practice, and Russell Armstrong, 52, for Graziano's county judge seat.

Wiley Clayton, who has been waging a court battle after an indictment last March on criminal charges, and Pat Kennedy, appointed last year to a new county judge position, have no opposition.

Clayton, 41, returned to office July 1 after Gov. Bob Graham lifted his suspension. The 5th District Court of Appeal in May dismissed 23 misdemeanor charges for misbehavior in office against Clayton, but prosecutors are appealing that ruling. Two remaining felony charges were dropped on June 16.

County judges handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases and civil disputes involving less than $5,000. The current salary of $59,371 will increase to $62,340.

Four judges from the 5th District Court of Appeal are facing merit retention in the general election Nov. 4. Voters will decide whether to keep the judges in office, but they have no opposing candidates.

The appellate judges facing voter review are Warren Cobb, Melvin Orfinger, Winifred Sharp and Frank Upchurch. If voters were to oppose a judge, the vacancy would by filled by the governor in January.

The Florida Bar Association Canon of Ethics prohibits judicial candidates from discussing issues during a campaign.